Kaepernick shines, but can’t reach standard set for 49ers QBs

NEW ORLEANS — The bar for a 49ers quarterback in a Super Bowl was set rather high: Don’t throw an interception and don’t lose the game.

Colin Kaepernick, of course, fell short on both counts in Sunday’s 34-31 loss to the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, but he also offered more evidence he’s poised to become one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks.

If he’s not already among that group, that is.

In his 10th career start, Kaepernick threw for 302 yards and had the longest touchdown run and the second-most rushing yards by a quarterback in Super Bowl history.

In doing so, Kaepernick joined some select company: Prior to Sunday’s game, Joe Montana was only quarterback to throw for 300 yards and rush for 50 in a Super Bowl. Montana had 331 passing yards and 59 yards on the ground in a 38-16 win over the Dolphins in 1985.

Yes, I know, that all rings a bit hollow in a loss. But it also suggests Kaepernick will get another chance on the NFL’s biggest stage.

Here are some other Super Bowl notes:

** The 49ers became the first team in Super Bowl history to have a 300-yard passer (Kaepernick, 302), a 100-yard rusher (Frank Gore, 110) and two 100-yard receivers (Michael Crabtree 109; Vernon Davis 104).

** Kaepernick’s 62 rushing yards fell just short of a Super Bowl record for a quarterback. Tennessee’s Steve McNair had 64 yards in Super Bowl XXXIV.

His 15-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter broke Montana’s record (6 yards) for the longest scoring run by a quarterback in Super Bowl history.

** Kaepernick’s second-quarter interception was the first by a 49ers quarterback in a Super Bowl, snapping a streak of 169 attempts without a pick.

** Davis added to his reputation as a big-game player. His 104 yards matched the most by a tight end in Super Bowl history and he tied Keith Jackson as the only tight end in NFL postseason history with four 100-yard receiving games.

One more: Davis and Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald are the only player sin NFL history with 100-yard performances in their first five postseason games.

** Gore’s 110 rushing yards were the most in franchise history in a Super Bowl game. Roger Craig had 71 yards against the Bengals in 1989.

** The 49ers now share a dubious mark: the most points scored by a Super Bowl loser. The Steelers beat the Cowboys, 35-31, in Super Bowl XIII.

** The 49ers dropped to 23-2-1 under Jim Harbaugh when scoring 20 or more points.

** The Ravens’ 34 points were the most allowed by the 49ers in a Super Bowl. The Chargers scored 26 in 1995.

** The team with the fewest turnovers in Super Bowls improved to 35-3. The Ravens won the turnover battle, 2-1.